Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Midwife of Hope River Book Review

Got another great book to tell you about called The Midwife of Hope River written by Patricia Harman. It is a story about the people of Appalachia in the 1930's and I know from reading history that that period was harsh to live in and that they still believed in old prejudices.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

In 1930's Appalachia, midwife Patience Murphy struggles against disease, poverty, and prejudice--and her own haunting past--to bring new light, and life, into an otherwise cruel world.
As a midwife, working in the hardscrabble conditions of West Virginia during the Depression, Patience Murphy's only solace is her gift: escorting mothers through the challenges of childbirth. Just beginning in her profession, she takes on the jobs no one else wants, caring for those most in need--and least likely to pay.
Patience is willing to do what it takes to fulfill her mentor's wishes, but starting a midwifery practice means gaining trust, and Patience's own secrets are too fragile for her to let anyone in--especially her neighbor, rugged veterinarian Daniel Hester.

A stirring piece of Americana, The Midwife of Hope River rings with authenticity as Patience faces seemingly insurmountable odds that threaten her at every turn, from the dangerous mines of West Virginia and the terrifying attention of the Ku Klux Klan.
But her life becomes entwined with those around her, Patiece learns to overcome the grief of her past and open herself up to different kinds of love--discovering a joy she never thought existed.

Patience knows alot of heartache in her life, from losing her parents, a boyfriend, a husband and lastly a baby. The last one that she lost was her mentor and best friend, midwife Mrs. Kelly. That is when she really decided to become a midwife even though the pay was awful when you could get it but most of the time, she received no form of payments.

But even in her darkest despair, someone would show up needing help to deliver a baby and all of her worries or concerns would vanish. She may have not gotten money a good bit of the time, but they kept her supplied with chickens, ham, flour, cornmeal, wood or coal. She somehow managed to survive on what they brought instead of money.
She had a a black girl, named Bitsy that lived with her and helped her in the birthing of many babies.

The veterinarian, Daniel helped her out when he could and she always returned the favor if he needed help with something.
One night after a very difficult delivery, they both needed each other and they slept together that night. And from that point on, nothing was the same for either of them. Even Bitsy had finally found her path and meaning.
You will love this book. It is filled with courageous women who did what needed to be done and always with dignity and pride.

The people of that time in our history showed more courage and grit than any other time in our history, I think. There was alot going on and one could have easily snapped. They had the depression, war, poverty, the Klu Klux Klan, old ways of mountain people, no money and diseases would come and go with a fierceness.
But it is also about love and Patience and Bitsy both get very lucky in that department!

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comments:

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. That she was not always paid and when she was she received stuff like cornmeal reminds me so much of my father. He passed away in the 1970s. He used to charge $2 for an office call if he knew the family couldn't pay much and he often received home grown vegetables for payments, one time, it was apple cider, home made.

I love to read historical fiction set during the Depression. The Midwife of Hope River sounds so good. Thank you for your review. It would be great to win a copy. Perfect time of year to head outside with a good "new" book. :)Hope you are having beautiful fall weather like we are.